What’s really driving voter disillusionment

The Grattan Institute's latest report, on minor party support in Australia, is another contribution to probably the biggest political debate across Western democracies currently: what's behind the drift to populism and, in a number of countries, the decline of support for the political establishment?

It explores the growth in minor party support over recent elections, culminating in the 2016 federal election when minor party support reached over 22% in the House of Representatives and over a quarter in the Senate -- the highest levels ever recorded (they might have added that 2016 also heralded a slump in turnout, despite compulsory voting). All at a time when trust in politicians and politics is at a low ebb across Australia and much of the West.

Free Trial

If you are human, leave this field blank.

We’ll let you keep reading but first...

Fill in your details below to get FREE access to the best of Crikey and INQ on a 21-day trial.